Chapter 20
Riley and Amber made their way to the bar.
A look of dread played on her face when she saw me. Not particularly the reaction I was hoping for.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were stalking me," I said.
She laughed. "I think you're the one stalking me. You're probably tracking my phone, keeping an eye on my every move."
"Now, why would I do that?”
"Maybe you think I'm plotting a heist."
"I'm quite sure you've stolen a heart or two."
She sneered at me. "Is that illegal?”
“Depends,” I said with a wink.
I looked at her gorgeous blonde friend and extended my hand. "You must be Amber. I’ve heard so much about you."
Her eyes sparkled as she took my hand. "All bad, I hope.”
She had a naughty smile and a body that inspired sin. JD had a hard time keeping his eyes above her neck. With that low-cut dress, Amber was a heartbeat away from a wardrobe malfunction.
"This is my buddy, Jack Donovan," I said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Amber replied, taking his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine.”
"What brings you two out this evening?" I asked.
"Well, it is ladies’ night," Amber said.
"In that case, may I buy you a drink?" JD asked.
"By all means," Amber replied, batting her eyelashes at him.
He took drink orders, then flagged down the bartender.
Riley and I shared an awkward moment.
"Are you sure you’re not spying on me?”
"Why would I spy on you?” I said innocently.
"You ran my background.”
“Your brother sure is hanging around some bad people.”
“Like who?”
“Garrett.”
Her lips tightened for a brief moment with disdain.“My brother is free to hang out with whoever he likes.”
“Garrett has an interesting criminal history.”
“People can change, Deputy.”
“Yes, they can. I just don’t happen to see it often.”
Disappointment filled her face.
My phone buzzed with a text from Isabella. [Wade’s at the Emerald Lounge.]
“Hot date?” Riley asked.
“Business, actually.” I tapped JD. “We’ve got to roll.”
He frowned at me, clearly enthralled with Amber. He said to her, “Maybe we can catch up later.”
“Maybe,” she said coyly.
Jack paid the tab. We said goodbye to the girls and headed for the door.
“Tell me why is it we’re leaving again?” JD muttered to me.
I wasn’t exactly sure of that myself. But I wanted to find something that would either confirm or disprove my suspicions. If we followed Wade and Shane around long enough, they were bound to tip their hand.
We walked down the street to the Emerald Lounge. The burly bouncer asked for an ID, and I flashed my badge. He waved us inside and called to the cashier, “They’re good.”
I gave a smile and a nod to the cashier as we strolled inside.
The place was packed. Men drooled over the gorgeous beauties that pranced the stage. Spotlights slashed the hazy air, and the smell of cheap perfume mixed with beer and whiskey. On the main stage, a young vixen peeled off frilly articles of clothing, and the crowd howled.
Wade stood beside the stage, showering the stunning brunette with money. It rained down like a ticker tape parade.
The Emerald Lounge had just opened up and was trying to compete with Forbidden Fruit.
By the looks of things, they were doing a good job.
Head-turners in various states of undress lined the floor, tantalizing patrons with their wares.
The drinks were cheaper, and the buffet boasted a five-star chef.
We’d been meaning to check the place out, for professional reasons, of course.
JD and I took a seat in a dim corner. Wade was too preoccupied to notice anything else but the brunette on stage.
"I'm not going to complain," Jack said. "But is he doing anything illegal?”
“He sure is burning through his paycheck.”
The dancer scooped up the cash from the stage, squatted beside Wade, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He was in seventh heaven.
The song ended, and Wade took a seat.
The DJ boomed through the microphone, “Give it up for Rebel Rose!”
There were cheers and whistles.
“Next up, please enjoy the erotic stylings of Cindy Synn.”
It didn’t take long for a waitress to bring Wade a drink. Rebel found him once she got off stage. She wanted more of that green. The sultry brunette fell into his lap, and they got acquainted.
A waitress approached and took our drink order.
We ordered our usual whiskey, disappointed they didn’t stock Wild Fury.
She spun around and sauntered away, her hips swaying in that tight leather skirt and fishnet stockings.
"So what are we going to do, watch this guy empty his wallet and disappear into the Champagne Room?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Then what?”
The waitress returned with our drinks a moment later.
When the next song came on, the brunette vixen peeled out of her clothes, shoved her perky peaks in Wade's face, and proceeded to slither around his body in the most stimulating way.
Wade looked like he was in love.
Who could blame him?
This place was heartbreaks and dreams.
We watched Wade enjoy dance after dance.
“He sure is burning through a lot of cabbage.”
“Everybody’s got a hobby,” JD said.
“That’s a lot of cash for a bartender.”
“Bartenders make bank in this town.”
A couple of gorgeous young women approached and asked if we wanted company. Of course, we didn't want to be rude or blow our cover.
I was more than happy to help with their college fund.
Eventually, Wade and the brunette moved to the Champagne Room. I couldn’t say with any degree of certainty what went on in the Champagne Room here, but it was typically at the lady’s discretion.
"Satisfied?" JD asked.
I shrugged again.
"He better be satisfied," the blonde sitting in my lap said.
"Ladies, it's been a pleasure, but we need to go," I said.
Sapphire frowned at me. "You don't really want to leave. It's early, and things have just started to get interesting."
I smiled. "I'm afraid we’ve reached our budget for the evening."
"Well, you come back and see me again sometime," Sapphire said.
"I look forward to it."
Jack paid the tab, and we settled up with the ladies. We finished our drinks and ambled out of the joint, onto the sidewalk.
Jack grumbled, "Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoyed myself. But you see how we’re leaving here empty-handed, with lighter wallets. And what did we learn from that adventure? That Wade likes strippers?” He frowned.
“We could have had a nice evening at Jellyfish, talking to two adorable lovelies without having to pay them for the privilege.”
It was at that moment that we crossed paths with Amber and Riley.
"Speak of the devil," Jack muttered.
Riley lifted a sassy eyebrow at me. "Business, huh?”
I nodded. "We were surveilling a suspect."
She rolled her eyes. "Well, I hope you had fun," she said as she continued down the sidewalk with Amber.
Jack said to the blonde, "He made me go with him."
Amber scoffed, and they both put a little extra swing in their hips as they walked away, just to antagonize us.
Jack gave me an annoyed look. "See. Look at what we’re missing out on.”
"What do you want me to do? Let these guys get away with robbing a vault?"
"We don't know if they did anything."
I gave him a flat look. "Come on. They're the best lead we've got, and you know it."
Jack frowned. "Doesn't mean I have to like it. Shane saved our ass a time or two, if you recall. I don't care what he did since the Navy—he was solid under fire.”
My phone buzzed with a text from Crash. [Where the hell are you guys?]
[Got sidetracked.]
[We left J Fish. We’re at Tide Pool.]
[See you there.]
We strolled down the block, stepped into the club, and made our way to the outdoor pool. That's where all the action was.
Lovely ladies frolicked in skimpy bikinis. Translucent fabric clung to pert wet peaks. The smell of pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris swirled. Chill music pumped through speakers, and the murmur of the crowd drifted through the air.
We caught up with the guys who were surrounded by a bevy of beauties. Once again, the night looked promising.
By the next morning, things had turned sour again.